From:
"lumazzanti"
Date: 2009-05-14 17:56:32 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] cataracts in ferrets
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
hello everyone!!
well, I own 6 ferrets ranging from 1 to 4 years old. Two of my males: Merl=
in (4 years old) and Sir Galahad (3 years old) have developed cataracts in =
one of their eyes. I know that being blind or partially blind is not a pro=
blem for ferrets and that there is no possible treatment once the catarcts =
developed, but I am a bit concerned, because 2 out of 6 with cataracts is q=
uite a high percentage.=20
What could be the posible cause??? I don=B4t think they lack taurine or vi=
tamine A in their diets. I feed them: ZuPreem, Totally Ferret and (since 3=
months ago) Orijen cat (1/3 of each). I give them their duck soup almost =
every day, and often: pieces of raw chicken, turkey, rabbit or quail.
Let me say that Galahad is completely healthy while Merlin has developed a =
baldness on the base of his tail a couple of months ago. He is being teste=
d for that. The vet thinks it is not an adrenal problem and wants to wait =
and see if the hair grows back again or if other signs show up.
Well, any advice on the cataracts??? could they be related to the baldness=
problem??? Is there a cause or something I=B4m doing wrong in the ferret =
care???
Thanks in advance for any wise advice!!!
Luciana
[Moderator's questions for more information:
Are they related? The propensity to cataracts,
especially young or middle aged ones can have
a genetic cause.
Are they albinos or not? Are their eyes brown
or less pigmented? Are they exposed to bright
light? A lot of light exposure makes cataracts
(and adrenal disease -- often the cause of
baldness on the sacrum) more likely, and eyes
with less pigment are more vulnerable.]
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/